Opioid Prescribing for Providers

As an Idaho provider, you play an important role in combating the opioid epidemic. Find resources and information to support and inform clinical decision-making. 

CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids

The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain highlights recommended actions that all prescribers can take to lower their patients’ risk of overdose.

The four focus areas in the guideline are:

  1. Determining whether or not to initiate opioids for pain
  2. Selecting opioids and determining opioid dosages
  3. Deciding duration of initial opioid prescription and conducting follow-up
  4. Assessing risk and addressing potential harms of opioid use. CDC developed the guideline using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework

To access the full CDC Prescribing Guideline, please visit the CDC website

Earn Free CE
Project ECHO Idaho offers free accredited continuing education credits (CE) for a variety of modules, including opioids, pain, and substance use disorder.
Prescribing data in Idaho
47%
of opioid prescriptions were prescribed to patients ages 55 and older
(2022)
58
opioid prescriptions per 100 patients
(2022)
31%
increase in naloxone prescriptions
(2021-2022)

Related programs:

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
Substance use disorders involve the recurrent use of alcohol and/or other drugs causing clinically significant health problems.
OPIOIDS
Anyone who takes opioids can be at risk for addiction, accidental overdose, or death. Learn about the risks of opioids and overdose prevention resources.